ĐÀ NẴNG — Japan plans to open a Consulate General in Đà Nẵng city as a way of boosting tourism and exchange between Japan and the central city in the future.

Newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam, Umeda Kunio, proposed the opening in a meeting with the city’s leaders yesterday. 

According to Umeda the Consulate General of Japan in the city will create smooth conditions for both Japanese and Vietnamese tourists, businesses and investment among cities in Japan and Đà Nẵng, while boosting Đà Nẵng’s tourism in Japan.

He also asked the city to support Japanese investors that operate in the city’s Industrial Zones, as well as future investors.

Umeda also requested the city to consider the Japanese investor Ajinomoto’s proposal of introducing a nutritious menu for students at schools Đà Nẵng over the coming years, as well as boosting Japanese language education here.

The Japanese Ambassador also said Japan will support Đà Nẵng in building the Hòa Liên water plant from ODA funds.

Chairman of the city’s people’s committee, Huỳnh Đức Thơ, said the friendship between Đà Nẵng and cities in Japan is getting closer.

He said the city is proceeding in enhancing its co-operation with Yokohama, Nagasaki and Kansai.

Thơ said the construction of the Japan-Việt Nam Culture Centre in Ngũ Hành Sơn District will commence soon, as well as the launch of a new direct flight from Đà Nẵng to Osaka next year.

Đà Nẵng has smoothed the way for Japanese investors by explaining administrative procedures, investment licensing regulations, policies and other issues.

The city also plans to build an industrial park for small- and medium-sized businesses from Japan on a space of 134ha.

Last week, the city’s Investment Support and Promotion Board, and Japan’s Gifu Shinkin Bank, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation and investment promotion for small and medium-sized enterprises from Japan in the central Vietnamese city.

The Route Inn Group from Japan has started construction of a coastal resort, the first of its kind in Viet Nam, with total investment of $18 million, while the Japanese JP Holdings company plans to invest in a high-quality kindergarten education project in the city from next year, with estimated capital of $5 million.

Japanese language teaching has been taught at some junior secondary schools following the city’s foreign language teaching programme for 2012-20. — VNS